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Harman: Hacking Flaw is Limited to FCA Infotainment Systems

Harman International Industries Inc. says infotainment systems it supplies to other carmakers do not contain the software flaw that allowed cyber security experts to hack into units sold to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.
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Harman International Industries Inc. says infotainment systems it supplies to other carmakers do not contain the software flaw that allowed cyber security experts to hack into units sold to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation in late July to determine whether the FCA problem was more widespread. Last month the company recalled 1.4 million vehicles to install hack-blocking software in its Harman-made Uconnect wireless infotainment systems.

Harman notes that carmakers modify its electronic entertainment systems to suit their own performance objectives. CEO Dinesh Paliwal tells Bloomberg News the vulnerability shown in the FCA hack of a Jeep Cherokee SUV "does not exist, in our assessment, in any other vehicle."

In the Jeep hack, security experts were able to use Uconnect's cellular link to access the vehicle's electronic internal network. They then took remote control of the vehicle's engine, brakes, audio controls and windshield wipers.

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